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Preschool Senior Lead Teacher

Thinkery
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ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION 

Thinkery is where children and their families come to enjoy play-based, inquiry-rich, hands-on learning experiences. As a trusted children’s museum, community and learning hub, and educational leader, we believe that innovative, play-based, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) learning experiences are a powerful way for all children, regardless of means, to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and curiosity about the world around them. 

At the Thinkery Meredith Learning Lab located in Mueller, we proudly offer innovative, interactive museum exhibits and activities and early childhood education through our Little Thinkers Preschool, and led by our STEAM Learning Institute, we provide research-backed, community-based professional development programs and trainings for educators- all cultivating a love of learning and encouraging exploration and understanding of the many facets of STEAM and its ability to inspire confident, creative thinkers.

 

POSITION SUMMARY   

The Preschool Senior Lead Teacher implements Thinkery’s Preschool program, a childcare facility owned and operated by Thinkery. The program offers Thinkery developed curriculum to children (ages 3 and 4) from Mid-August through May and modified summer programming from June through mid-August.

The ideal Senior Lead Teacher candidate will be a passionate, committed early childhood educator who understands the pedagogy and instructional practices that support early ages, particularly preschool ages 3 and 4. Ideal candidates are inspired by delivering high-quality and developmentally appropriate early childhood content that integrates early STEAM, social-emotional development- and early literacy with play- and inquiry-based learning for preschool students and early childhood educators. The position is a year-round, full-time role, spending 10 months of the school year in a preschool classroom and two summer months in professional development spaces. It reports to  the Preschool Site Director, collaborates with the Preschool Education Team and the Professional Development Team,  and coordinates with the Museum Experience Team.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Implement developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive curriculum, assessments, and evaluation for classes of up to 16 pre-K 3 and/or pre-K 4 years old students.
  • Maintain an organized, clean, fun, and interactive preschool classroom.
  • Collaborate with the Thinkery Professional Development Team to plan class visits and co-teaching opportunities to enhance and model Thinkery’s approach to play-based STEAM learning, centered around belonging.
  • Deliver professional development sessions throughout the summer semester in collaboration with the Thinkery Professional Development Team.
  • Adhere to Thinkery’s health and safety protocols.
  • Encourage creativity, exploration, and decision-making by the children.
  • Demonstrate a passion for nurturing the development of children.
  • Positive, responsible, flexible, and professional attitude towards children, families, and colleagues, regardless of the situation.
  • Comply with Minimum Standard Rules of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS).
  • Consistently and effectively interact with parents and guardians of prospective and current program participants.
  • Assist in Thinkery’s implementation of early childhood research initiatives with partners such as The University of Texas.
  • Provide guidance and training opportunities to teaching partner (co-teacher) related to interactions with families, lesson planning, and schedule building.
  • Assist in the preparation and/or maintenance of portfolio materials related to state and national accreditation (Texas Rising Star & NAEYC).
  • Effectively use parent communication and student assessment tools.
  • Work collaboratively with their Education partner on a daily basis.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  • Serve as an ambassador for Thinkery in communicating and furthering the mission and goals of the institution.
  • Flexible and willing to fill cross-functional roles to support museum operations.
  • Represent Thinkery’s key values of Belonging, Collaboration, Innovation, and Playfulness.
  • Support a culture of cross-organization communication, collaboration, and information sharing.
  • Schedule and availability reflect that the organization is a 7-day-a-week operation with Little Thinkers Preschool being a 5-day-a-week operation. Days and hours of work are largely Monday through Friday, with flexibility for personal needs and preferences.  Periodic duties outside of/in excess of regular workweek schedule during seasonal high-volume times.
  • Assist in engaging and sustaining volunteers and interns through introduction, information sharing and oversight. Proactively provide support ensuring each volunteer has a productive, safe and meaningful experience. 
  • Ability to meet all state mandated health and background screening including fingerprinting.

COMPETENCIES  

  • Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.  
  • Community Focus: Building strong community relationships and delivering community-centric solutions.          
  • Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.   
  • Cultivates Innovation: Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.  
  • Ensures Accountability: Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments.  
  • Instills Trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.  
  • Nimble Learning: Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.  
  • Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.   
  • Values Differences:  Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES   

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:

  • Proven understanding of early childhood development, early STEAM subject matter, educational theories, and pedagogy.
  • Behavior management skills for addressing challenging behaviors positively in the classroom.
  • Commitment and passion for the Museum’s approach to learning and inspiring others.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong presentation skills are required. 
  • Excellent time management, project management, organizational and analytical skills.
  • Ability to creatively problem-solve and remain calm and positive during challenging situations.
  • Must be flexible and patient.
  • Collaborative and proactive team member.
  • Able to handle a fast-paced, varied, and busy work environment.
  • Experience and desire to work with diverse populations.
  • Previous experience in a licensed early education program.
  • MS Office Suite proficiency is required.
  • CPR/First Aid certification required, or the ability to obtain certification upon start of employment.
  • A minimum of 24 clock hours of Early Childhood Pre-service training within the last 12 months is strongly preferred (a minimum of 8 hours is required upon hire, with the remaining 16 hours to be completed within the first 90 days).
  • Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.

 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

  • Reports to LTP Site Director

 

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

  • Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education Special Education or Elementary Special Education, Bachelor’s degree in any of those fields preferred.
  • A minimum of three years of experience as an early childhood education teacher, preferably at a NAEYC or TRS-accredited program.
  • Experience delivering Professional Development to Early Childhood educators is preferred.
  • Meets minimum preparation and experience required for certification as an Early Childhood Education Teacher.
  • Complies with all state education and licensing standards and maintains validation of credentials for the position (i.e., professional development).

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position is active.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

  • Observe and react to the needs of students, staff, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Move throughout the museum.
  • Manipulate and move components weighing up to 45 pounds, including those that may be low to the ground or above eye level.
  • Communicate and exchange accurate information with students and their parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and community partners in a variety of formats including in-person, electronically, and over the phone. 
  • Detect and respond to safety hazards.
  • Regularly work in outdoor environments.
  • Position Specific: Conduct trainings and deliver content to groups of staff, guests and community partners.

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BENEFITS  

  • Thinkery offers competitive and affordable benefits for our full-time staff including options for 100% employer sponsored medical coverage. Our benefits package includes:  
  • Medical insurance options including HSA, PPO Gold, and PPO Platinum plans.   
  • Affordable dental and vision  
  • 100% employer sponsored EAP, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance  
  • 2 weeks of paid vacation, 12 days of paid sick leave, and 13 paid holidays each year  
  • Paid Family Leave  
  • Pet and child-friendly offices  
  • Membership to the museum and discounted rates to Little Thinker’s Preschool and Camps  

 

This job description should not be construed to imply these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for this job.  Incumbents may be required to follow any additional related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required.  This job description may be updated as needed.  

Thinkery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above-listed items.  All candidates offered a position will be required to submit to background and reference checks.